Airecuts aren't worth it!

So, Stanley recently asked if I was going to get an Airecut before I headed down to Florida with Mom and Dad, and funny he asked, cuz yesterday, I got groomed.

Now, I have to warn all you doggies out there not to misbehave when you are on the grooming table. Apparently, I must have been thrashing about when I was on the table and hooked onto the grooming loop. I was fine when I went home, but late last night I began to feel some pain and I cried out and went to Mom for help. Mom had no clue what to do, every time she touched my head/neck area I would yelp and cry. She took off my collar and bandanna to ease the pain on my neck and then called the Emergency Vet. They felt if she could settle me in for the night, I would not need to visit them, but they did recommend a trip to my regular vet in the AM. So, at midnight, I still would not fall asleep. I was so tired that my eyes were shutting, but each time I put my head down it hurt SO BAD! Finally, I just fell asleep.

First thing this morning, Mom rushed me off to my most favorite vet in the whole world, Dr. Marks! Dr. Marks knew something was wrong right away. Normally, I would jump all over her and slobber kisses on her face, but all she got was a bit of a tail wag. I was examined and then given TWO SHOTS! OWWWW!!!! Dr. Marks felt that I most likely had injured the soft tissue around my neck when I was on the table and this was causing all of my discomfort. So, she gave me a muscle relaxer and and anti-inflammatory to take until Sunday. When I left her office, my tail was back up and I was acting more like myself again.

So, no rough play for me this weekend, no running or being crazy, no, me the dog who gets hurt at the groomers has to rest. All this just so I could smell nice and clean up my hair....If you ask me, it's just not worth it!

'till next time,
Kirby

Family Photo Time

Sorry, I've been so absent from blogging. Mom has been so busy lately, she's had no time to blog for me, but she has been reading and keeping me up to date on what you've all been up to. Apparently, getting all the Christmas cards out into the mail and doing all the Christmas shopping has been keeping her super busy. Plus, we are getting ready to go on a vacation. we are heading down to Florida for almost three weeks! So, Mom's been making lists of everything that we will all need. Note that I said what we will all need, since we are driving down, I get to come too! Wooo hooo!! Mom is going to take tons of pictures on the trip, so I will FORCE her to blog all about it.

Over Thanksgiving weekend, Dad's sister, my Aunt Nadya and her family came in from Saint Louis and we did a family photo session. Below are some of the pictures that Aunt Nadya took, and I think they came out pretty good!

Here's me with my most favorite people in the whole wide world, Mom and Dad!
Here's the whole family. I was not behaving so Mom had to keep me somewhat calm. He he!
When I still wouldn't behave, we had a very Deetz like talkin' to. That is no fun! I couldn't help it, there was deer poop everywhere, and that stuff smells SO GOOD!
Here's me with my cousins, Daniel, Steven and Keersten.
And here is a shot of (if I do say so myself) one good looking Airedale!

I promise to make Mom blog on a more consistent basis. I can't let her think she's in control....

'Till next time,

Kirby

Not up to much

Sorry for the delay in posting. Mom and I have been super busy with tons of different things. It seems like Winter wants to make an early entrance this year (yes, Herc, we got snow!), so I'm trying to make the most of the few nice days we get. I spent a lazy Sunday at my Grandparents having fun in their yard. The fields around their house are turning brown, but the grass is so nice to roll around in!

Ahh, it just feels so good to lay here!

But you just can't stop that feeling, that roaching feeling.
It is pure bliss to roach around in Grandma and Grandpa's yard. My fellow roachers know what I'm talking about! He he!!
Other than enjoy the last bit of Fall, we've been trying to get our stuff together for the DWB Holiday Card Exchange. Mom tried a few different picture ideas, but as usual, I wasn't cooperating. Can you blame me? The scarf was delicious! How could I not chew on it?
Mom like this one, but she still wasn't sure. You'll have to wait till you receive this years card to see what picture we ended up using.
Oh, good news, I've completed my six weeks of rehab on my right hind leg and I've been cleared to begin jumping in agility again! Wooo hooo! I've got to start slowly and build myself back up. I'm just happy that I can start jumping again!! Mom is going to keep me in rehab for one day a week to work on strengthening my leg muscles and to work on weight loss (yes, it is STILL an issue).

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving! May some table scraps fall your way!!

'till next time,
Kirby

Spencer is 13!

The weekend before Halloween, Mom, Dad and I headed over to Grandma and Grandpa's to help celebrate Spencer's 13th birthday! He sure is looking good for a teenager!!

First thing we took care of was the presents. Spencer LOVES to unwrap gifts, especially if they are food and he can smell it! Mmmmmm. Spencer had everything unwrapped in just a few minutes. He got lots of treats (he's not into toys very much anymore).

I'm a bit of a brat, and had to be restrained by my Dad as Spencer was opening his gifts. Mom said I think everything is for me. He he!

Check this out, Spencer had not one, but TWO birthday cakes!

MMmmmmm, cake good!

Spencer likes his cake with a scoop of ice cream.

After all that excitement, Spencer fell asleep with his new fox. He was POOPED!

After nap time, we headed outside to see what our neighbor dogs were up to. I finally got to meet 'The Count' who was visiting the Golden's next door. What a cutie! Spencer is really into The Count. He loves a smaller dog!

My good pal Jordan came out for a romp, but caught a scent and was preoccupied with that.

Since Jordan was busy, I got to romp around with Angel. She and I ALWAYS have the best time together!!

Spencer came out for a bit of playtime with his leash. He loves to chase it and chew it! He's still like a puppy sometimes!!

After all the partying was finished, we took one last walk around the lake and creek. Uncle John showed us the beaver dam. Apparently, a beaver has moved in and built a big old dam across the creek. Mom took the picture above, but it was so dark out, you can't see too much. I caught the scent of the beaver, but was on leash, so there was no taking off and chasing anything.

What a great day. Happy 13th Birthday Spencer! I hope you have many, many more!!!

'Till next time,

Kirby

And the winner is....

Well, the game has been played and the collar is now being worn. The Fighting Illini of the University of Illinois defeated The Iowa Hawkeyes on Saturday, so I am no proudly wearing the orange and blue of the Illini.
Mom wasn't too happy during the game. Several 'bad' words came from her mouth as the Hawkeyes lost.

I like both schools, but don't really love one over the other, personally, I just like to wear cool looking collars, so I'm happy with this one.

Sorry the pictures aren't better. I wouldn't hold too still for Mom.

Dad has agreed that Mom can try again when Iowa and Illinois play basketball this winter. Maybe then, I can sport the black and gold tigerhawk! For now, I'm a proud Illini dog!

'Till next time,

Kirby

Iowa vs. Illinois

So, Mom and Dad have dragged me into one of their many bets. This one involves their college teams playing each other. This Saturday, Dads school, University of Illinois will be playing Moms school, University of Iowa. So, Mom and Dad have decided that I can wear the collar of the winning team. Up till now, Mom and Dad have agreed no Iowa or Illinois gear on Kirby, as I'm neutral (maybe I should have Lenny send me some Ohio State gear to really make them mad), so this is a HUGE deal for them.

So, will I be representing the Fighting Illini?

or the Hawkeyes?

Tune in this weekend to see which school I will be wearing proudly!!

'Till next time,

Kirby

Busy Saturday

I had a jam packed Saturday this weekend. It started off with another rehab session. I was scheduled for ultrasound with a laser and then some more time on the underwater treadmill.
Mom was in the penned off area with me, supposedly to keep me calm. Whatever!
They started off by shaving a spot on my leg where they would do the ultrasound. I was not cool with this, no one told me that I had to have a patch shaved in my leg. Then, just as I was getting over seeing my fur come off, they slathered on this goop for the ultrasound. YUCK!

I did not like the ultrasound one bit. I had to stay still, which I did not want to do. Mom was practically pushing me down most of the time.
Then came the laser. Luckily for me, they didn't need to shave any fur for the laser. Once again, sitting still was key, and I just didn't want to comply.
Then we were onto stretching. Once again, the weird balls are brought out and I have to stretch forward and back. This is no fun, no fun at all, trust me.
More stretching...
Finally, we were onto the fun part of the session, the water part. I was much more comfortable in the treadmill tank this time, they even increased my speed and time! Woo hoo!

Once we were done at rehab, we swung home, got my Halloween costume and headed off to the dog park for their Halloween party, 'Howl O Ween'!

I don't like to wear clothes, so Mom had a hard time deciding what would be a good costume, and what costume would I actually wear. He he!
Mom decided that I wouldn't mind wearing a basketball jersey, so I went as Aire Jordan!
Sorry the jersey is all crooked in the picture. I wouldn't set still long enough for Mom to get a good picture.
Once we got to the park, there was all kinds of butt sniffing and playing. It was super hard to stay on leash while the costume contest was going on. I was part of the 'store bought' group. I didn't win, but I had so much fun!! Mom was a bit frustrated that very few people got the 'Aire' with an E part of Aire Jordan. Most people said she spelled it wrong. Duh, I wanted to say, I'm an Airedale going as Aire Jordan. Those hoomans....
Here's a full body shot. Once we got to the park, Mom added the sweatbands. I hated these, I kept biting them and trying to pull them off. Once I started playing, I forgot all about them. He he!

Even though I didn't win, it wasn't a total loss. Mom and Dad won a gift certificate to a local restaurant in the raffle. And, then Mom won two gift certificates in the silent auction! One to my regular vet's office for an annual exam & all the necessary shots and the other one was for a day of fitness at my rehab vet! Mom was very happy, all in all, it was a busy, but great day!

One last thing happened on Saturday. It was Mom and Dad's 5th wedding anniversary. Yeah Mom and Dad! I'm so happy you guys got married and decided to get a dog. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, I love you guys!!!!

'Till next time,

Kirby

First rehab session

Today was my first day of rehab at Integrative Pet Care. I was scheduled for some therapeutic exercise and some time on the underwater treadmill. I was way psyched when I arrived as my agility pal Ryder was there too. He and his brother were in for their acupuncture treatments, no needles for me, thanks. Dr. Molly Flaherty worked with me today. She was super nice and really patient with me when I wouldn't listen to her. He he!

We did all kinds of stretching exercises. Dr. Flaherty worked real hard on my hind legs since my soft tissue problem is in my right hind leg. She found that I was more agreeable to stretching when a treat was involved!
See, I'll give her good form for a treat!
We tried out several different things, some to stretch, others to simply use my sore muscles.
Then, Dr. Flaherty brought out the ball. Big mistake. Mom has one of these at home, and I attack it whenever she brings it out, so you know I wasn't going to do these stretches nicely! I was wiggly and tried to bite the ball, very unruly. He he!
Finally, Dad got me to calm down and we stretched me out. Ahhhh, that feels good, now on to the water!
I was a bit apprehensive about getting into the treadmill tank, but then Dr. Flaherty filled it up with warm water and it felt (and tasted) so good! We did some walking, and we will build up to running on the treadmill.

Here I am walking nice and slow. This is way weird and it took me awhile to get used to it.

After walking on the treadmill, Dr. Flaherty turned on the whirlpool jets and rubbed me down while the jets worked on my muscles. My fellow dogs, I highly recommend this. It was like being at the doggie spa! I was a bit nervous when the bubbles first came up, but then realized they were just part of the water.
After my time in the chlorinated water, they gave me a yucky shower to rinse me off. I didn't like this at all, but Mom and Dad said to suck it up, so I did.

I'm going back on Saturday for an ultrasound treatment and then more treadmill. I think I'm liking this rehab thing, but now I am super tired. Good night all, I'm off to bed!

'till next time,
Kirby

Good News!

I'm a happy pup today cuz I got good news from my vet! The Orthopedic/Radiologist consultation came back and they felt everything in my x-rays looked OK. They agreed that I do have a soft tissue injury in my right hind leg, so the alternative vet as my Mom calls Dr. Mayer, has put together a 6-week rehab plan for me. They've got a mix of therapeutic exercise, underwater treadmill, ultrasound and resistance pool work planned for me. I'm not sure what to expect, but I'm psyched about the swimming! Thank you to you all for your positive thoughts, your concern meant so much to me! I've got Mom charging up the camera battery, so she can capture every moment of my rehab! This should be interesting!!

'Till next time,
Kirby